Bob's Sunday morning adventure

[petersonra]

So this morning I got out of bed and before taking the dog for her morning walk decided to sit a spell in the bathroom. As usual, it was a bit chilly so I turned on the electric space heater and started to do a Suduko puzzle.

About halfway through my puzzle, I start to smell something a bit unusual. I realize it is the smell of burning plastic. Than I notice a little bit of smoke coming from where the heater is plugged into an extension cord. So I unplug the extension cord from the outlet. Sure enough the head of the extension cord is melted, and the plug on the heater cord is discolored.

 

[iwire]

I always knew those Suduko puzzles where dangerous. :wink:

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Maybe you and the dog should spend some time together outside. :wink: :grin:

 

[Dennis Alwon]

So this morning I got out of bed and before taking the dog for her morning walk decided to sit a spell in the bathroom. As usual, it was a bit chilly so I turned on the electric space heater and started to do a Suduko puzzle.

About halfway through my puzzle, I start to smell something a bit unusual. I realize it is the smell of burning plastic. Than I notice a little bit of smoke coming from where the heater is plugged into an extension cord. So I unplug the extension cord from the outlet. Sure enough the head of the extension cord is melted, and the plug on the heater cord is discolored.

And since arc faults are not required in the bathroom you would not have been saved.

 

[celtic]

... the heater is plugged into an extension cord....

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

 

[iwire]

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

He is an engineer, he can do that.

 

[wireguru]

So this morning I got out of bed and before taking the dog for her morning walk decided to sit a spell in the bathroom. As usual, it was a bit chilly so I turned on the electric space heater and started to do a Suduko puzzle.

About halfway through my puzzle, I start to smell something a bit unusual. I realize it is the smell of burning plastic. Than I notice a little bit of smoke coming from where the heater is plugged into an extension cord. So I unplug the extension cord from the outlet. Sure enough the head of the extension cord is melted, and the plug on the heater cord is discolored.

shorted coil in the heater making it draw a few more amps than it should but not enough to trip breaker, plus loose contact in receptacle combined with crappy extension cord with prongs a bit thinner than they should be = stuff melted ?

 

[ce2two]

Nothing like a sit down smoke test ?

 

[augie47]

Ahhh! Human ingeniuty !! :grin: Despite the best efforts of the Code Making Panels, with enough determination we can still start an electrical fire.

 

[LarryFine]

He is an engineer, he can do that.

I've always said we professionals know how to break the rules properly.

 

[LarryFine]

shorted coil in the heater making it draw a few more amps than it should but not enough to trip breaker, plus loose contact in receptacle combined with crappy extension cord with prongs a bit thinner than they should be = stuff melted ?

No, normal heater current + crappy (any?) extension cord = stuff melted.

 

[G0049]

I've always said we professionals know how to break the rules properly.

Ahhhh. Now I know why you don't want amateures hanging around here picking up tips! :roll:

 

[wireguru]

No, normal heater current + crappy (any?) extension cord = stuff melted.

so this would melt with his heater plugged into it?

 

[zbang]

I've always said we professionals know how to break the rules properly.

Don't try this at home, go to someone else's house.

Or- That's the reason for rules, so you think before you break them.

 

[petersonra]

The heater and the extension cord have been there for 5 or 6 years. Don't know what made it decide to go up today.

Neither cord was especially warm.

I am thinking maybe corrosion on the prongs of the plug or in the extension cord.

 

[Aledrell]

damn chinese extension cords

damn chinese extension cords

simple arcing? cheap extenson cord. Put new cord cap on heater, buy heavier duty extenson cord.

 

[ceb58]

[

quote=petersonra]

I am thinking maybe corrosion on the prongs of the plug or in the extension cord.

[/QUOTE]

Methane gas has that effect on metal

 

[iaov]

A lot of extension cords only have #16 wire or sometimes #18. They get warm and they eventually self destruct. It just takes a while.:smile:

 

[brian john]

so this would melt with his heater plugged into it?

Yep, if the contacts between the male cord cap and female cord cap have a high resistance.

 

[wireguru]

Yep, if the contacts between the male cord cap and female cord cap have a high resistance.

true....due to loose contacts in the receptacle as i noted in my first post